Title
Declaring April 7th as National Black Bookstore Day.
Body
WHEREAS, the rich cultural heritage of the United States is deeply shaped by Black storytellers, scholars, publishers, and entrepreneurs who have preserved, published, and shared knowledge through literature and community institutions; and
WHEREAS, throughout history, African Americans have made significant contributions to the culture, economy, and social fabric of our country, and have played an integral role in shaping the independent bookstore industry- even though Black-owned bookstores represent less than 8% of all booksellers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Black-owned bookstores have long served as vital institutions for education, activism, cultural expression, civic dialogue, and economic empowerment, especially during periods when mainstream institutions excluded or ignored Black voices; and
WHEREAS, since the 19th century, Black visionary entrepreneurs have established bookstores that became sacred spaces for intellectual growth, cultural preservation, and political engagement, including David Ruggles’ bookstore (1834), George Young’s Young’s Book Exchange (1915), Lewis Michaux’s African National Memorial Bookstore (circa 1932), Marshall’s Music & Bookstore (est. 1938), Hakim’s Bookstore (1959), Marcus Books (1960), Liberation Bookstore (1967), and Hue-Man Bookstore & Café (1984); and
WHEREAS, from the 1960s through the 1990s, Black-owned bookstores served as epicenters of community organizing, education, artistic expression, and historic preservation within African American communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the number of Black-owned bookstores declined significantly over recent decades-from more than 325 in 1999 to just 54 in 2014-many operating under substantial financial strain; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, renewed national attention to racial equity and community investment has contributed to a resurgence of Black-owned bookstores, with nearly 300 operating across the United States today; and
WHEREAS, Georgia “Mother Rose” West, born April 7, 1949, founded Underground Books in Sacramento, California, where it became a treasured gathering place for literature, learning, and community, and her legacy inspired the establishment of National Black Bookstore Day in her honor; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB²), founded on Juneteenth in 2025, works to promote literacy, amplify Black voices, and strengthen the sustainability and visibility of Black-owned bookstores nationwide; and
WHEREAS, within Saint Paul, Minnesota, Planting People Growing Justice, founded in 2017 by Dr. Artika Renee Tyner, has served the community by hosting author talks, book launches, and intergenerational dialogue events that center diverse voices and lived experiences. It actively supports youth literacy initiatives through reading programs, culturally responsive book access, and partnerships with local schools, libraries, and community organizations. Beyond bookselling, it creates intentional space for cultural dialogue and civic engagement, fostering conversations around equity, education, and leadership development, and stands as a vital cultural and economic anchor in the community; and
WHEREAS, recognizing National Black Bookstore Day each year on April 7 provides an opportunity to honor the legacy, resilience, and ongoing contributions of Black-owned bookstores locally and nationwide;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby proclaims April 7, 2026, and every April 7 thereafter, as National Black Bookstore Day, and encourages all residents to celebrate and support Black-owned bookstores through patronage, partnership, and participation in the cultural and civic life they help sustain.